Search form

Main menu

You are here

Become an Apprentice

Become an Apprentice

Become an apprentice

Once a potential apprentice and an employer decide to enter into an apprenticeship agreement, an application package must be completed, signed and submitted to the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.

To become an apprentice (including Youth Apprentice, 16 to 19 years old) in the trade in which you are employed, you must be supervised in the workplace by a certified journeyperson. In Nova Scotia, if you are currently working in one of the compulsory certified trades, contact the apprenticeship office nearest you and ask to speak with an Industry Training Consultant about how to obtain a temporary permit. A temporary permit allows individuals to continue to work in the trade while the registration process takes place.

Discuss the apprenticeship program with your employer and find out if they are willing to sign an apprenticeship agreement with you. Then, register as an apprentice!

If you have prior work experience or training, you could receive CREDIT.

Credit for Prior Work Experience and Training

Apprentices with prior workplace experience or training may be eligible to receive advanced credit towards an apprenticeship program.

At the time of registration, an apprentice may apply for credit of prior workplace experience/hours. The apprentice must provide support documentation in the form of employer letters. The letters must be from previous employers and be on company letterhead, indicating the employment dates (to and from), total number of hours worked and the scope of work performed. Nova Scotia may accept an affidavit in lieu of employer letters in certain circumstances.

Additionally, at the time of registration, an apprentice may apply for credit of theory and practical experience/hours gained from pre-employment technical training. Nova Scotia will recognise approved programs; however, the apprentice must be made aware that they may have gaps in their training that may need to be addressed.

You can also TRANSFER your existing Nova Scotia apprenticeship agreement.

Register as an apprentice

This process is for initial apprenticeship agreements only. For information about transferring an apprenticeship agreement from one employer to another, please see the section called "Transfer Your Apprenticeship".

Contact a Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency [NSAA] Industry Training Consultant and make an appointment any time that makes sense for you or your business. You will need to meet with the consultant to register your apprenticeship agreement.

Employed in a Compulsory Trade

Congratulations! You're working in a skilled trade. This is your first step...

If you are employed full- or part-time in one of Nova Scotia's designated trades, you can register as an apprentice. To register, you must be supervised in the workplace by a certified journeyperson. As well, individuals working in one of the compulsory certified trades must contact the apprenticeship office nearest them (or call toll-free 1-800-494-5651) and ask to speak with an Industry Training Consultant about how to obtain a temporary permit. A temporary permit allows individuals to continue to work in the trade while the registration process takes place.

Submit the Required Forms and Support Documentation

Because you are working in a compulsory trade, you and your employer need to enter into an apprenticeship agreement with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency so that you can become a registered apprentice.

To register as a Nova Scotia apprentice, the Apprenticeship Registration Form and all required support documentation** must be completed and submitted to the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency for review and approval. We recommend that both the employer and the apprentice complete the form together, as it contains information that pertains to both parties. If, at any time during the process, you have any questions, or wish to discuss any concerns you have about the registration process, please contact the Industry Training Consultant for your trade/region.

**Support Documentation

The following support documentation is only required if the potential apprentice wishes to receive credit for technical training and practical experience (hours) towards their apprenticeship program.

Proof of previous work experience (employer letters should be signed and on company letterhead, and include dates of employment, number of hours of hands-on-work experience and a description of the job duties/tasks)

Arrange a Meeting

After you've submitted the complete application package to the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, please contact the Industry Training Consultant for your trade/region to arrange a meeting with the Consultant, the employer and the apprentice.

If the application package is complete, the Industry Training Consultant will meet with the employer and apprentice to discuss the apprenticeship program in detail; review the roles and responsibilities of the Agency, employer and apprentice; confirm, if applicable, the credited technical training hours and practical work experience hours; and discuss the requirements for direct supervision of the apprentice by a journeyperson. The Industry Training Consultant will then have the employer and apprentice sign the form, and will return the form to the Apprenticeship office for the Director/Designate's signature.

The Agreement Gets Registered

An Agency Director/Designate will sign the agreement;

The Agency will forward a signed copy of the agreement to the apprentice and employer; and

The Agency will forward a logbook and a Nova Scotia Apprentice ID Card to the apprentice.

Employed in a Non-compulsory Trade

Congratulations! You're working in a skilled trade. This is your first step...

If you are employed full- or part-time in one of Nova Scotia's designated trades, you can register as an apprentice. To register, you must be supervised in the workplace by a certified journeyperson.

Discuss the Apprenticeship Program with your Employer

Discuss the apprenticeship program with your employer and find out if they are willing to sign an apprenticeship agreement with you. Once you and your employer decide to enter into an agreement, you can register as an apprentice with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.

Submit the Required Forms and Support Documentation

To register as a Nova Scotia apprentice, the Apprenticeship Registration Form and all required support documentation** must be completed and submitted to the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency for review and approval. We recommend that both the employer and the apprentice complete the form together, as it contains information that pertains to both parties. If, at any time during the process, you have any questions, or wish to discuss any concerns you have about the registration process, please contact the Industry Training Consultant for your trade/region.

**Support Documentation

The following support documentation is only required if the potential apprentice wishes to receive credit for technical training and practical experience (hours) towards their apprenticeship program.

Proof of previous work experience (employer letters should be signed and on company letterhead, and include dates of employment, number of hours of hands-on-work experience and a description of the job duties/tasks)

Arrange a Meeting

After you've submitted the complete application package to the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, please contact the Industry Training Consultant for your trade/region to arrange a meeting with the Consultant, the employer and the apprentice.

If the application package is complete, the Industry Training Consultant will meet with the employer and apprentice to discuss the apprenticeship program in detail; review the roles and responsibilities of the Agency, employer and apprentice; confirm, if applicable, the credited technical training hours and practical work experience hours; and discuss the requirements for direct supervision of the apprentice by a journeyperson. The Industry Training Consultant will then have the employer and apprentice sign the form, and will return the form to the Apprenticeship office for the Director/Designate's signature.

The Agreement Gets Registered

An Agency Director/Designate will sign the agreement;

The Agency will forward a signed copy of the agreement to the apprentice and employer; and

The Agency will forward a logbook and a Nova Scotia Apprentice ID Card to the apprentice.

Youth: 16-19 and in High School

Congratulations! You're working in a skilled trade. This is your first step...

If you are 16 to 19 years old, working towards a High School Diploma and employed full- or part-time in one of Nova Scotia's designated trades, you can register as a Youth Apprentice. As a Youth Apprentice, you will only need to pay the cost of issuing your apprenticeship ID card, which is less than $20.00.

To register, you must be supervised in the workplace by a certified journeyperson. If you are currently working in one of the compulsory certified trades, contact the apprenticeship office nearest you and ask to speak with an Industry Training Consultant about how to obtain a temporary permit. A temporary permit allows individuals to continue to work in the trade while the registration process takes place.

Submit the Required Forms and Support Documentation

If you are working in a compulsory trade, you and your employer need to enter into an apprenticeship agreement with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency so that you can become a registered apprentice.

If you are working in a non-compulsory trade, discuss the apprenticeship program with your employer and find out if they are willing to sign an apprenticeship agreement with you. Once you and your employer decide to enter into an agreement, you can register as a Youth Apprentice with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency.

To register as a Nova Scotia Youth Apprentice, the Apprenticeship Registration Form and all required support documentation** must be completed and submitted to the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency for review and approval. We recommend that both the employer and the apprentice complete the form together, as it contains information that pertains to both parties. If, at any time during the process, you have any questions, or wish to discuss any concerns you have about the registration process, please contact the Industry Training Consultant for your trade/region.

**Support Documentation

The following support documentation is only required if the potential apprentice wishes to receive credit for technical training and practical experience (hours) towards their apprenticeship program.

Proof of previous work experience (employer letters should be signed and on company letterhead, and include dates of employment, number of hours of hands-on-work experience and a description of the job duties/tasks)

Arrange a Meeting

After you've submitted the complete application package to the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, please contact the Industry Training Consultant for your trade/region to arrange a meeting with the Consultant, the employer and the apprentice.

If the application package is complete, the Industry Training Consultant will meet with the employer and apprentice to discuss the apprenticeship program in detail; review the roles and responsibilities of the Agency, employer and apprentice; confirm, if applicable, the credited technical training hours and practical work experience hours; and discuss the requirements for direct supervision of the apprentice by a journeyperson. The Industry Training Consultant will then have the employer and apprentice sign the form, and will return the form to the Apprenticeship office for the Director/Designate's signature.

The Agreement Gets Registered

An Agency Director/Designate will sign the agreement;

The Agency will forward a signed copy of the agreement to the apprentice and employer; and

The Agency will forward a logbook and a Nova Scotia Apprentice ID Card to the apprentice.

This process is for initial apprenticeship agreements only. For information about transferring an apprenticeship agreement from one employer to another, please see the section "Transfer Your Apprenticeship".

A potential apprentice can enter into an apprenticeship agreement if:

they are a permanent resident of Nova Scotia; and

they are currently employed in a Canadian province/territory.

Submit the Required Forms and Support Documentation

To register as a Nova Scotia apprentice, the Apprenticeship Registration Form and all required support documentation** must be completed and submitted to the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency for review and approval. We recommend that both the employer and the apprentice complete the form together, as it contains information that pertains to both parties. After completing the form, please print a copy and have it signed by both the apprentice and employer, and then submit via mail (along with any support documentation) to the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency. If you have questions regarding eligibility and process, please contact the Industry Training Consultant in the trade/region nearest your Nova Scotia residence.

**Support Documentation

The following support documentation is only required if the potential apprentice wishes to receive credit for technical training and practical experience (hours) towards their apprenticeship program.

Proof of previous work experience (employer letters should be signed and on company letterhead, and include dates of employment, number of hours of hands-on-work experience and a description of the job duties/tasks)

The Agreement Gets Registered

After the complete application package (required forms and support documentation) has been received by the Agency, it will be reviewed:

an Agency representative will confirm the credited technical training hours (if applicable) on the form;

an Agency representative will confirm the credited practical work experience hours (if applicable) on the form.

If approved:

an Agency Director/Designate will sign the agreement;

the Agency will forward a signed copy of the agreement to the apprentice and employer;

the Agency will forward a logbook and a Nova Scotia Apprentice ID Card to the apprentice.

Employed in Nova Scotia

Employed in All Other Canadian Provinces/Territories

Work in another jurisdiction

Provincial-Territorial Apprentice Mobility Agreement and Protocol

Canada's Premiers have signed a Provincial-Territorial Apprentice Mobility Protocol, and the Ministers responsible for apprenticeship have signed a Provincial-Territorial Mobility Agreement. These documents will help make it easier for apprentices to work temporarily (or move permanently) between provinces and territories, and receive recognition for hours worked and other training completed. If you are moving temporarily, please select from the 3 options above for the procedure and forms you need.

Canada's Premiers created a provincial-territorial apprentice mobility agreement and protocol. The protocol obligates Ministers responsible for apprenticeship to provide clear, consistent information for apprentices and employers, and to recognize hours worked and technical training successfully completed by apprentices, regardless of the jurisdiction in which they were completed. The protocol applies to apprentices moving permanently or temporarily, and to recent graduates of college trades programs. Its overall goal is to ensure the availability of a skilled, competitive workforce across the country. Jurisdictions agreed to have the protocol in place by January 2016.

Moving Permanently

If you are moving from Nova Scotia to work PERMANENTLY in another Canadian province or territory, please open the Transfer Guide. Look for that province/territory's entry in the table of contents for details about how to apply as an apprentice with them.

If you are PERMANENTLY moving from another province/territory to work in Nova Scotia, you can register as a Nova Scotia apprentice. Above, select "Register as a Nova Scotia Apprentice: Employed in Nova Scotia". You will find the procedure and forms that you need. Additional details about transferring to Nova Scotia permanently are available in the Transfer Guide. Look for Nova Scotia's entry in the table of contents under the section called Permanent Apprentice Mobility.

Moving Temporarily

If you are a Nova Scotia apprentice planning to work TEMPORARILY in another Canadian province/territory: Make sure you carry your apprentice ID card. You do NOT have to register again in the other province/territory; you can remain registered in Nova Scotia! Above, select "Transfer an Existing Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agreement from One Employer to Another". You will find the procedure and forms that you need.

If you are a Nova Scotian, but NOT a registered apprentice, and you wish to work TEMPORARILY in another Canadian province or territory, you can register as a Nova Scotia apprentice! Above, select "Register as a Nova Scotia Apprentice: Employed in All Other Canadian Provinces/Territories". You will find the procedure and forms that you need.

If you are an Out-of-province/territory apprentice planning to work TEMPORARILY in Nova Scotia: Make sure you carry your apprentice ID card. You do NOT have to register again in Nova Scotia. There are no further requirements for you to be able to work as an apprentice in Nova Scotia.